Sampling apparatus for waste disposal system

ABSTRACT

A sampling apparatus particularly for use at an offshore location. It relates in particular to a liquid specimen collector utilized in the monitoring of the quality of waste contaminated water which is being discharged at the offshore location. The apparatus includes guide means whereby a specimen or sample water collector can be lowered to a desired water depth. The water collector unit embodies a spring actuated container which is lowered from the water&#39;&#39;s surface in a closed condition such as to acquire a liquid sample when actuated to an opened position.

United States Patent Binkley, Jr. et al.

[ 51 Aug. 1,1972

[54] SAMPLING APPARATUS FOR WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEM [72] Inventors:Frederick H. Binkley, Jr., Gretna; Eldred S. Lanier, Jr., New Orleans;Robert G. Barrilleaux, Slidell, all of [73] Assignee: Texaco Inc., NewYork, N.Y.

[22] Filed: May 28, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 148,039

[52] US. Cl ..73/421 B, 73/425.4 R [51] Int. Cl. ..G0ln 1/12 [58] Fieldof Search....73/421 B, 423 R, 425.4 R, 425.6

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,274,869 3/1942 Pfeiffer..73/425.4 R

3,153,345 10/1964 Berg ..73/423R Primary Examiner-S. Clement SwisherAtt0rneyThomas H. Whaley and Carl G. Ries [5 7] ABSTRACT A A samplingapparatus particularly for use at an offshore location. It relates inparticular to a liquid specimen collector utilized in the monitoring ofthe quality of waste contaminated water which is being discharged at theoffshore location. The apparatus includes guide means whereby a specimenor sample water collector can be lowered to a desired water depth. Thewater collector unit embodies a spring actuated container which islowered from the water's surface in a closed condition such as toacquire a liquid sample when actuated to an opened position.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SAMPLING APPARATUS FOR WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEM5 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION tions, normally a flow of gas and/or crudeoil is 001- lected from one or more wells, processed at the marinestructure and thereafter redistributed to shore locations. To avoid theuse of pipelines, tankers and other means of conveyance for carryingaway waste, nonpetroleum products, the latter are generally disposed ofin one manner or another.

A large proportion of the discharge flow from any drilling or producingplatform resides in the large amount of water and other fluids that arebrought to the surface in conjunction with the flow of usable crudeproducts. The salt water of course has no practical use and is normallyseparated form the of product and discharged back into the surroundingwater.

As a part of the recent trend assumed to minimize the degree ofpollution which enters the nations offshore waters, the various statesas well as the Federal Government have imposed rather stringentregulations concerning disposition of materials deposited from anoffshore platform or structure into the surrounding waters. Ofparticular concern of course is the inadvertent or otherwise, dischargeof petroleum based products into surrounding waters, which products tendto float on the waters surface. Such materials when found in largequantities constitute not only polluting conditions, but also create aprospectively flowable atmosphere. In response to the increasinglikelihood of the inadvertent or accidental discharge of such petroleumliquids, various governments have imposed such regulations which intheir severest form could require the complete elimination of petroleumproducts from discharged effluent.

In recognition of government regulations concerning disposal of wasteproducts from offshore marine structures, the present invention in itssimplest aspect is provided to monitor the effluent from the platform orstructure. More specifically it provides a water sampling means adaptedto cooperate with an effluent disposal system in order to control thepossible detrimental effects of the latter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of an offshore marine platform embodying theinstant water sampling system.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged segmentary view in partial cross-section showingthe sampling system.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged segmentary view in cross-section taken along line33 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3, showing the water sampler in actuatedcondition.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 1 illustrates in part an offshore platform or marine structure ofthe type contemplated which comprises in essence a deck 11 which issupported from a plurality of upstanding, mutually braced legs 12 and13. The latter reach to the ocean floor and are there anchored or piledin such manner to elevate the deck a predetermined height beyond thewaters sur-' face. Deck 11 as shown carries the normal complement ofequipment peculiar to such platforms as for example a derrick l4,draw-works l6, storage and crews quarters, etc. The usual offshoremarinestructure as a rule accommodates a plurality of wells which aredrilled from the platform and into the substratum. To provide the mostefficient coverage, the wells are normally directionally drilled toradiate from the platform thereby achieving the maximum exploratorycoverage for a particular field or oil producing area. In any event, inthe course of producing oil from such an area, there will be intermixedwith the gas pressured oil flow, a considerable amount of salt water aswell as other non-petroleum products. The latter, along with the crudeproduct flow, is urged upwardly through the well, and into the storagetanks, separating deck 11. U

There presently exist a number of ways whereby unusable liquids andsolids after being processed on deck 11, are directed into thesurrounding water without polluting the same. Toward illustrating theinstant invention, the features thereof will be described in conjunctionwith one such means, i.e. an effluent disposal pile. It should beunderstood however, that the present sampling system is not limited infunction to use either with, or in conjunction with the shown disposalpile.

Referring to FIG. 2, the marine platform or structure 10 is providedwith an effluent disposal means. The latter comprises in essence anelongated closed side cylindrical caisson 17 which is fastened to theplatform side at convenient, spaced apart points. The caisson or pile 17extends downwardly to the ocean floor, the lower end thereof being open,and spaced a sufficient distance from the floor to permit free passageof water and solids from the confines of the casing lower end as saidmaterials descend through the latter.

The upper end of caisson 17 is provided with a tight fitting closure 18which in turn supports a plurality of conduits 19 and 21. The latter arecommunicated with various sources of effluent to be discharged such asseparated salt water, waste materials, and other nonpetroleum productswhich accumulate ancillary to an oil producing or refining operation.

The respective conduits 19 and 21 are fixedly positioned within caisson17, extending from the upper end thereof and terminating at a pointbelow the waters surface.

During normal operation, the respective conduits carry discrete streamsof various forms of effluent which are deposited below the waterssurface. Within the closed wall confines of caisson 17 there will be anatural separation of materials, those that are lighter flowing to thetop, heavier matter fallingto the ocean floor. In the instance offloating materials, petroleum based matter for example, the latter willaccumulate at the waters surface. Periodically, the accumulation isremoved from the caisson upper end and either processed on the platformdeck, or transported elsewhere for disposal depending on its nature anduse characteristics. The disposal process is virtually continuous sinceoffshore platforms of the type contemequipment or the like positioned onplated are in continuous producing operation. Thus, there willordinarily be a steady flow of water from the caisson upper end,downwardly to the lower end.

Toward monitoring the condition of waters passing downwardly throughcasing 17, and to regulate the purity of the material being dischargedfrom said casing lower end, the disposal caisson is provided with awater sampling means. As previously mentioned, the instant disposalsystem discloses one form of apparatus with which the instant samplingdevice is usable. The latter can further operate satisfactorily on anumber of other systems as well as independently.

The sampling arrangement comprises a guide means 26 which is fixedlypositioned within caisson 17 by brackets 27 and '28 extending from theupper end thereof to a point just above where the water is dischargedinto the surrounding environment at the caisson lower end. The guidemeans 26 as shown comprises in one form a tubular member which, in theinstant arrangement, can be fabricated of Fiberglas or other nonmetallicmaterial. The guide means as the name suggests, functions to restrainand guide a supported water specimen collector or capsule 29 whichpasses longitudinally therealong carrying specimens of the dischargedwater to the deck for analysis.

Specimen collecting capsule 29 is generally elongated, assuming a sizeapproximately 18 inches by 3 k inches outside diameter. The capsule isof such a size as to be readily slidable within guide tube 26 wherebythe capsule can be raised to the waters surface or dropped of its ownweight through the water filled tube 26 to fall to the bottom of thelatter.

Tube 26 as shown, is provided with a stop means 31 extending across thelower end thereof which is preferably a cap, similar closure, or partialclosure. In one embodiment stop means 31 can constitute merely atransverse bracket extending across the casing opening.

Capsule 29 comprises an outer casing 30 of generally cylindricalconfiguration, and an inner shell 32 which is spaced from the casing todefine a substantially uniform annulus 33 therebetween. Each extremityof the respective casing and shell is provided with end caps 34 and 36which are fixedly positioned thereto by welding or similar fastening toform a fluid tight joint. Annulus 33 defined between the respectivecasing and shell walls, can be provided with a heavy ballast material.The latter can be lead or the like to afford the capsule sufficientweight to encourage its rapid progress from the guide tube upper end tothe lower end in a gravity descent.

The respective end caps 34 and 36 are held in tight engagement at thecorresponding ends of the casing and shell by one or more, andpreferably a plurality of tie rods 37 and 38. Said tie rods extendlongitudinally of inner chamber 39 defined between the respective caps34 and 36, and shell 32. The tie rods are held in place by nuts 41 and42 or similar means to assure a water tight connection at the respectivejoints of said members. Rods 37 and 38 extend downwardly from the lowerend cap 36, and function as guides for the actuating rod 43 and to holdthe caps 36 and 34 in position.

A central actuating rod 43 passes longitudinally through capsule 29,supportably extending from op posed ends thereof. The lower end of saidrod 43 is slidably received in a central opening 44 formed within endcap 36 to provide a substantially tight yet operable fit. The upper endof rod 43 traverses upper end cap 34 by way of central opening 46 formedin .the latter; said opening normally functions as an intake ordischarge passage for liquids. I

A guide member 47 is carried at the lower side of upper end cap 34,being suspended on a pair of downwardly depending pins 48 and 49 whichspace and support member 47 from said cap lower surface. Member 47 isprovided with a central opening 51 which slidably receives rod 43whereby to permit free yet guided reciprocal motion of the latterthrough said member.

'A transverse valve arm 52 is carried at the lower end of rod 43,depending laterally from said rod and having vertically orientedopenings at opposed ends thereof which slidably register on therespective tie rods 37 and 38.

An inner section of said connecting rods 37 and 38 is provided with athreaded section which receives adjusting nuts 53 and 54. Said nuts canbe rotatably positioned along the rod threaded section to alter thestrain in compression springs 56 and 57 disposed about the rod andconfined intermediate adjusting nut 53 and valve arm 52.

The lower end of rod 43 is provided with a foot 58 or other engagingsurface adapted to engage the closure cap 31 at the guide means 26 lowerend, or the transverse bracket positioned across the latter. Thus, ascapsule 29 descends, foot 58 will initially contact said closure cap 31,thereby displacing central rod 43 upwardly as the weight of the capsule29 continues to be directed downwardly.

The upper end of said rod 43 is provided with a circular valve seat 59which is slidably received within upper end cap 34 to engage a circularvalve seat 61 arranged concentrically with the central opening withincap 34 to form a water tight seal.

The upper end of the capsule 29 is provided with one or more connectingmeans 63 and 64 to engage a supporting cable 66 which in turn extendsfrom the capsule to a position at the upper end of the guide tube 26.The cable can thus be actuated by a wind-up mechanism or similar device67 to raise or lower the capsule 29. As noted, normally capsule 29 ispermitted to descend through tube 26 by a gravity fall. Thereafter, andafter obtaining a water sample at the lower end of the guide tube, it israised to the waters surface.

Optionally, a second cable can be attached to the top of the circularvalve seat 59. With said cable attached, it becomes possible to open thesampler manually by tensioning the cable, which motion simultaneouslyraises upper valve seat 59 and lower valve arm 52. After fluid hasentered chamber 39, the cable is allowed to go slack, thus allowingvalve arm 52 and valve seat 59 to close. Said cable 66 is then used toraise the sampler unit.

operationally, while capsule 29 is in a supported disposition betweenthe upper and lower ends of guide tube 26, the respective compressionsprings 56 and 57 will urge both the upper valve seat 59 and the lowervalve arm 52 downwardly into contact with the respective correspondingvalve seats. In such a position inner chamber 39 of the capsule isessentially closed. The chamber will retain air, and even perhaps leakwater thereinto as the capsule descends through the guide tube. Ineither instance, the pressure within the central chamber 39 will besubstantially constant as the capsule descends deeper through the waterdue to the equal pressure exerted in opposite directions on the valves59 and 52 which have equal areas exposed to the fluid exerting pressure.

At the lower end of guide tube 26, where it is desired to'take the watersample, lower foot 58 of the central rod 43 will engage the guide tubecap 31. As noted, such engagement will simultaneously cause valve arm 52to rise, thereby opening the lower inlet valve as well as simultaneouslyopening the upper exhaust valve. An inrushing pressurized water at theguide tube lower end fills chamber 39, water or air contained thereinwill be exhausted therefrom so that what is retained is essentially thewater from the guide tube lower end.

As capsule 29 is raised by support cable 66, release of the foot 58 fromthe tube cap 31 will urge the central rod 43 downwardly, thus closingboth the inlet and exhaust valves.

The contents of capsule 29 will of course be under a degree of pressuredepending on the depth of water in which the platform is operating. Forrelatively extensive depths a considerable degree of pressure will bebuilt up within capsule chamber 39.

At the platform deck, the water sample can be readily removed fromcapsule 29 merely by again depressing the central rod 43 to release therespective upper and lower valves. The liquid specimen will thereby exitfrom the central chamber 39. In such condition the capsule is againready to be lowered through the guide tube to acquire additional samplesof the water. The above sequence of steps can be carried outindefinitely and continuously whereby the condition of the water at thelower end of guide tube 26 is constantly monitored.

Other modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore setforth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof,and only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in theappended claims.

We claim:

1. Liquid sampler device for a marine structure positioned at anoffshore body of water and including;

elongated guide means disposed uprightly in said body of water, saidelongated guide means having an upper end positioned adjacent to thewaters surface, and a lower end spaced downwardly from the latter,

a liquid specimen capsule having a collector chamber, said capsule beingoperably carried within said elongated guide means and longitudinallymovable therealong between upper and lower ends thereof,

normally closed valve means in said specimen capsule communicated withsaid collector chamber, and being actuatable to an open position wherebyto admit and retain a liquid in said chamber when said collector islowered a desired distance into said elongated guide means,

and means for moving said specimen capsule along said guide means.

2. In a liquid sampler device as defined in claim 1 wherein; saidelongated guide means comprises a rigid wal siasaa an'gas as emanates asslidably guide the latter during movement of said capsule along saidguide means.

3. In a liquid sampler'device as defined in claim 1 wherein; saidelongated guide means comprises a closed conduit, the walls of saidconduit defining a passage for slidably guiding said capsuletherethrough.

4. In a liquid sampler device as defined in claim 1 wherein; saidelongated guide means comprises a rigid walled cylindrical conduithaving the inner surface of said cylindrical wall disposed contiguouswith said liquid capsule to slidably guide the latter along saidconduit.

5. In a liquid sampler deviceas defined in claim 1 wherein; saidelongated guide means includes actuating means disposed at the capsulelower end, said actuating means being positioned to engage saidelongated guide means whereby to actuate said valve means to an openposition when the capsule is lowered to said guide means lower end.

6. In a liquid sampler device as defined in claim 1 V wherein; saidnormally closed valve means includes biasing means engaging said valvemeans and urging the latter into said normally closed position.

7. In a liquid sampler device as defined in claim 6 wherein; saidbiasing means is adjustable to vary the degree of biasing urged againstsaid valve means.

8. In a liquid sampler device as defined in claim 6 wherein; saidbiasing means includes spring means carried on said capsule and beingadjustable to vary the degree of closing bias exerted against said valvemeans.

9. In a liquid sampler device as defined in claim 6 wherein; saidnormally closed valve means includes a valve stem operably disposed insaid collector chamber, and carrying at least one valve seat thereonadapted to engage a corresponding seat in said collector whereby toregulate said valve means, a shoe portion of said valve stem dependingfrom the capsule lower end whereby t0 longitudinally displace said valvestem and adjust said valve means to the open position when said stemshoe portion engages said actuating member.

1. Liquid sampler device for a marine structure positioned at anoffshore body of water and including; elongated guide means disposeduprightly in said body of water, said elongated guide means having anupper end positioned adjacent to the water''s surface, and a lower endspaced downwardly from the latter, a liquid specimen capsule having acollector chamber, said capsule being operably carried within saidelongated guide means and longitudinally movable therealong betweenupper and lower ends thereof, normally closed valve means in saidspecimen capsule communicated with said collector chamber, and beingactuatable to an open position whereby to admit and retain a liquid insaid chamber when said collector is lowered a desired distance into saidelongated guide means, and means for moving said specimen capsule alongsaid guide means.
 2. In a liquid sampler device as defined in claim 1wherein; said elongated guide means comprises a rigid walled memberhaving at least a portion of said rigid wall disposed contiguous withsaid liquid capsule to slidably guide the latter during movement of saidcapsule along said guide means.
 3. In a liquid sampler device as definedin claim 1 wherein; said elongated guide means comprises a closedconduit, the walls of said conduit defining a passage for slidablyguiding said capsule therethrough.
 4. In a liquid sampler device asdefined in claim 1 wherein; said elongated guide means comprises a rigidwalled cylindrical conduit having the inner surface of said cylindricalwall disposed contiguous with said liquid capsule to slidably guide thelatter along said conduit.
 5. In a liquid sampler device as defined inclaim 1 wherein; said elongated guide means includes actuating meansdisposed at the capsule lower end, said actuating means being positionedto engage said elongated guide means whereby to actuate said valve meansto an open position when the capsule is lowered to said guide meanslower end.
 6. In a liquid sampler device as defined in claim 1 wherein;said normally closed valve means includes biasing means engaging saidvalve means and urging the latter into said normally closed position. 7.In a liquid sampler device as defined in claim 6 wherein; said biasingmeans is adjustable to vary the degree of biasing urged against saidvalve means.
 8. In a liquid sampler device as defined in claim 6wherein; said biasing means includes spring means carried on saidcapsule and being adjustable to vary the degree of closing bias exertedagainst said valve means.
 9. In a liquid sampler device as defined inclaim 6 wherein; said normally closed valve means includes a valve stemoperably disposed in said collector chamber, and carrying at least onevalve seat thereon adapted to engage a corresponding seat in saidcollector whereby to regulate said valve means, a shoe portion of saidvalve stem depending from the capsule lower end whereby tolongitudinally displace said valve stem and adjust said valve means tothe open position when said stem shoe portion engages said actuatingmember.